But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes - Classic Text | Alexandria
But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1928) stands as the eagerly anticipated yet often overlooked sequel to Anita Loos's sensational bestseller "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1925). This sophisticated social satire, penned during the height of the Jazz Age, continues the adventures of Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw while delivering a sharp commentary on American society, gender roles, and the evolving nature of romance in the modern era.
Published by Boni & Liveright, the novel emerged during a period of tremendous social upheaval, when women's roles were rapidly transforming and the aftermath of World War I had reshaped social hierarchies. Loos, already established as one of Hollywood's most successful screenwriters, crafted this work while navigating her own complex relationship with H.L. Mencken, who had inspired her earlier literary success. The novel's timing coincided with the peak of 1920s prosperity and social experimentation, just before the devastating Stock Market Crash of 1929.
The narrative follows the further exploits of Dorothy Shaw, the brunette chorus girl who served as a foil to Lorelei in the previous novel. Through Dorothy's perspective, Loos cleverly subverts the cultural stereotypes she had earlier established, offering a more nuanced exploration of intelligence, sexuality, and social mobility in Jazz Age America. The book's reception, while positive, never achieved the phenomenal success of its predecessor, perhaps due to its more subtle approach to social critique and its challenging of conventional wisdom about romance and marriage.
The legacy of "But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of gender dynamics and social satire. While overshadowed by its predecessor, the novel has experienced periodic rediscovery by feminist scholars who appreciate its sophisticated challenge to gender stereotypes and its prescient commentary on marriage and social mobility. Modern readers continue to find relevance in Loos's razor-sharp observations about class, gender, and the eternal quest for love and security in an uncertain world. The work stands as a testament to Loos's ability to combine entertainment with incisive social commentary, raising questions about marriage, preference, and prejudice that remain pertinent nearly a century later.